Why I Love the Architects of Toronto

William Thomas

Born: 1799 (Suffolk, England)

Death: December 26 1860 (Toronto)

Biography: Thomas was an architect who came to Toronto in the latter half of his life establishing himself as a sculptor, architect and engineer in Europe. Thomas did not arrive to our city until 1843 in which he would have been in his early 40’s. Many reports credit that the booming Toronto population and the fact that there were only three practicing architects at the time, contributed to Thomas’s move to the city. 

The first major work in which Thomas contributed to was the Commercial Bank on Wellington, whose façade was eventually moved to inside Brookefield Place (Allen Lambert Galleria). However, Thomas, like most of the architects in Toronto, would be better known for his churches – more specifically the stunning St. Michael’s Cathedral. Thomas built a majority of the building except the spire which would be added by the firm Gundry and Langley. The reason Thomas did not do the spire was because the project had run out of money.

Thomas would eventually go on to build St. Lawrence Hall as well as rebuild the market Henry Bowyer Lane had built after it was ravaged by fire. More recently I have mentioned Thomas because of his work on the historic Don Jail. The building was featured in my haunted Toronto Week and on a post highlighting it restoration.  

Even though Thomas started his work late in Toronto, he is one of few architects on this list who has built memorable building both in Toronto and England.

Thomas Featured in Why I Love Toronto

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Why I Love The Architects of Toronto

Henry Langley

Birth: November 26, 1836 (Toronto)

Death: January 9, 1907 (Toronto at the Necropolis Cemetery)

Biography: A born Torontonian, Henry Langley began his career in architecture through an apprenticeship with William Hay. His first venture as an architect was with Hay’s old partner Thomas Grundy, but became a prominent architectural figure when he joined the firm Langley, Langley (Edward Langley, his brother) and Burke (who was his nephew) in 1872. Langley stayed with the firm until he decided to retire.

Langley’s foray in architecture was churches in which he built a reported 70 across Ontario. He was so famous with his work for churches that he would be called upon to alter and expand them.    

Even though Langley was known predominantly for his churches he did dabble in residential and public spaces including Post Offices and the homes of William McMaster and Robert Simpson.

Langley even taught some other prominent Toronto architects who will be featured in the coming weeks including Frank Darling, and J.C.B. Horwood. Langley was the founder the Royal Canadian Academy of Arts and the Ontario Association of Architects.

Langley died today in 1907 and was buried in the Necropolis Cemetery located in Cabbagetown. Langley was responsible for the church, superintendents lodge and gates that reside on the property.

Notable Buildings featured by Why I Love Toronto   

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Why I Love Toronto

2012 In Review – A Breath of Fresh Air

So yesterday I gave you the sad news of a few historic and iconic places in Toronto that would be shutting down or have been shut down this year. Now the futures of many of these buildings are of course condominiums. However, sometimes condominium developers can do good things. Key word in that sentence was sometimes. I call this post a Breath of Fresh Air because many of the following things on this list have been given a new life and a second chance. Some are old abandoned buildings who will get a new purpose, others include modern expansions and three of them prove that if a community stands together good things can happen.

197 Yonge Street – The Old Bank of Commerce (now known as CIBC) across from the Toronto Eaton Centre, has sat abandoned for many years. Now the heritage property has been restored by MOD Developments and will be incorporated into a new condominium complex.

Churches – Many of Toronto’s Churches are being converted into condominiums. This is great considering there is so much hard work that goes into building a house of worship.

The Big Bop/ CB2 – It was in January that CB2 finally opened revealing a fully restored façade of the former Occident Hall which was painted purple by the Big Bop.

Maple Leaf Gardens – I skated at Ryerson’s new NHL sized rink at Maple Leaf Gardens and just stepping onto that ice was spectacular. Even though it wasn’t the same ice where the Leafs won their Stanley Cups, I was still skating in the building they did.

Toronto Reference Library – Got a facelift that finally opened this year along with a Balzac’s Coffee.

Don Jail – The scary prisons new fully restored façade was revealed a few weeks ago and even though it looks all happy and bright the building still has a dark past.

Jamie Bell Adventure Playground – After being burned to the ground the community and Mike Holmes came together to rebuild the playground so that children could continue to play in the park.

High Park Zoo and Riverdale Farm – These loveable summer day trips for kids were almost shut down by the city, but after a the communities in both Cabbagetown and High Park rallied together, put signs on their lawns and raised money the Zoo and Farm will live to see another year.

HK Hotel – A New Hotel on the CNE grounds will include an excavation of the buried Stanley Barracks which will incorporated into the Hotel’s walkway.

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Why I Love Toronto Reason #354

Church of the Redeemer

(Sing in the tune of Going to the chapel of love by The Dixie Cups) I went to chapel to see Nick and Georgette get married. (stop singing here).

Yesterday my dear friend Georgette got married <3, and I thought it would be fitting to feature a church for this post. Now my friends did not get married at this church, but I thought since a wedding happens at church and this being my last church post that it would be the perfect time to do it. Sitting on the corner of Bloor and Avenue Road this church is pretty much a staple for me direction wise. I mean for me it marks the start of Yorkville to the east and the start of the eastern portion of U of T if you go south. The church was built by Smith and Gemmel and was opened in 1879. The architecture is said to be in a gothic style with a rough stone exterior and a polychrome yellow brick interior.  Other things to note about the church is the alter which has a beautiful domed ceiling with a number of designs on them, as well as the stained glassed windows that surround the alter. I also love the wooden beams that lead you to the alter for I feel as though they are what draw your attention and draw you to come closer – well that’s what it did for me during Doors Open.

I was looking at an old picture from the Toronto Library archive and in one of them there is this stunning chandelier that sat in the middle of the room – I wonder what ever happened it? Also I will post a picture from the Toronto Library of the church back in the day. When looking at the black and white photo, you have to acknowledge the fact that there was no Bloor Street! There wasn’t even that massive Four Season Complex behind it! Look at the trees, the land and the fences – it is not what Bloor Street looks like today. If that church could talk it would be giving us a crazy history lesson!  I mean just read the brief history lesson I gave during my Yorkville post and you will see the transformation that area has seen.

The church is one of few churches in the city of Toronto that welcomes a wide array of worshippers, including those of the LGBT community. One report says that around 40% of the churches 350+ worshipers are part of the LGBT community. Ps. it was also on the show Nikita, Devon Sawa was standing in front of the church during one episode.

I think out of all of the Churches I have done this is the one that has been through, survived and witnessed the greatest transformation of an area and of the city. It is a beautiful church that just sits on the corner of one of the city’s busiest intersections.

That is Why I Love Toronto.

http://www.torontopubliclibrary.ca/search.jsp;jsessionid=0JqyTzPCt8jYFGpydF6yZZ2G17nBDc8lkFnvsQ9ZGJmMVt5XnB68!116601096?Ntt=Church+of+the+Redeemer+(Toronto%2C+Ont.)&Ntk=Subject_Search_Interface&view=grid&Erp=20

http://www.nowtoronto.com/news/story.cfm?content=124401

Why I Love Toronto Reason #348

St. Augustine Seminary

When Ariel and I were trying to figure out how to get to the Scarborough Bluffs we asked a girl walking her dog, who said to take the dirt path until we reached a school parking lot. As we got closer I began to notice this beautiful copper dome atop this grand building. At first I thought it was the school, but then I noticed a cross on top of the dome and then thought it was a Church, and then Ariel reminded me that Catholic Schools have crosses on them as well. Anyways this Beaux-Arts building is actually a school, but I doubt it was the one the girl was talking about. The building was built by businessman, brewer and philanthropist Eugene O’Keefe he donated around $400,000 to build the facility which would to train/ teach future priests. St. Augustine is part of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Toronto and some of the classes that can be taken at the school are affiliated with U of T and the Toronto School of Theology.

I don’t want to get too heavy into the religious portion of it, for I am no religious expert myself and do not want to offend anybody. However, for me the reason this has made an appearance on my list is not because of the religious aspect, but because of that copper domed roof and the building’s exterior in general. The dome is stunning not only for the colour, but because it has rectangular windows that occupy its centre and semi-circle windows underneath which are beautiful. When I look at it, for some odd reason it reminds me of a conservatory and I feel like the most exotic plants would occupy the space under the dome. Also just imagine the light that would shine in on a sunny day – the different angles the sun would beam into the building would make the most brilliant light display. The brick part is very collegiate and reminds of some really old high schools in Toronto, but the entranceway to the building is very grand with a patio on the top. The brick work on the corners has so much detail attached to it and the roof is sealed off by fencing you would see on a balcony.  

When I saw this building I was absolutely stunned and that dome and I will forever be, in love with that dome. It is a quite an amazing sight to see and I recommend anyone who goes to the bluffa to stop and check out the dome roof of this building, for then you will see

Why I Love Toronto.

http://www.biographi.ca/009004-119.01-e.php?&id_nbr=7628

http://mjfenn.hubpages.com/hub/Visiting-Ontarios-St-Augustines-Seminary-Scarborough-domed-Beaux-Arts-architectural-distinction

Why I love Toronto Reason #332

Church of the Holy Name

You just have to see the façade of this church and you will automatically fall in love with it. I fell in love with it simply because it reminded me of my time in Rome and let me tell you why. If you are standing right in front of the building, look at it straight on and just look at the top portion just below the centred dome, it looks as though there is nothing behind it. It looks as though the façade is the only portion of that structure left and that there is nothing behind that one piece. When I first saw it, it instantly reminded me of the many Roman ruins that were in Rome because many of the structures of old Rome are just pieces or facades of what was once a bigger building. Also look at the writing underneath the semicircle and the triangles, they are written in such a roman-esque way. Also the doors are this beautiful deep colour and the columns just make it even more roman looking.  I have to say to when I started writing this post I started with this spiel and then did research and to my surprise I found out why it reminded me of Rome.  Architect Arthur W. Holmes made the building so that it would resemble Basilica di Santa Marie Maggiore in Rome – I knew there was something Roman about it when I first saw it! I knew it!

But I digress. Anyways the church was built between 1913 to 1926 which is more than a decade and the most confusing part for me during the research period. One website said it was established in 1913, but was not officially dedicated until 1926, while other suggest it took over a decade to build. If someone could clarify that for me it would be awesome, but yes at least we know the building is pre-depression era. Also, the church is considered by many to be the most impressive architectural landmark on the Danforth and there is no way I can disagree with that statement, for it is absolutely stunning.

The church is beautiful and I suggest that if you are going to visit the Taste of the Danforth the second weekend of August that you stop by to check this church out.

That is Why I Love Toronto.

http://onthedanforth.ca/2009/03/19/the-way-they-were/

Why I Love Toronto Reason #308

Bathurst Street Theatre + Annex Theatre

Now remember a little while ago I did a post on Churches being converted into condos? Well have you ever heard of a Church being turned into a theatre? Well I have one for you and it is in my favorite neighbourhood the Annex. Now the Bathurst Street + Annex Theatre are located close to some other Why I Love Toronto reasons such as Central Tech, Sonic Boom, Insomnia, Honest Eds, Bathurst Station and Paupers Pub just to name a few. I consider the two to be one theatre even though they are somewhat separate – however I will speak of the Bathurst Theatre more!

The church in which the theatre occupies was built in 1888 and was the Bathurst Street Wesleyan Methodist Church. The church is famous because the first Prime Minister of Canada, Sir John A. MacDonald, laid the buildings cornerstone. Eventually the church became a United Church in the 20’s. Like most churches that have turned into condominiums or been demolished this Church began to see a decline in attendance and therefore needed to rent its space out. At this time (the 50’s) the church was being rented out for art performances such as concerts and plays. In 1985 the congregation completely left and it became an official theatre. In 2001 the Randolph Academy for the Performing Arts called the building home.

It is absolutely amazing the inside of this former church. You have two levels of seating the first being the floor which has the typical theatre like seats (and can seat 263) and the second level being the balcony which has pews to sit in (and seats 255). Walking through it is also stunning for you have these beautiful spiral staircases and the colours of the stained glass windows are still maintained.

The Annex Theatre is much smaller and from what I have seen (for I have not been in this portion of the theatre) it has a rather similar set up as the Ossington Theatre (seat wise in my opinion). From what I did see the most striking feature was these two staircases that converge onto this stage which could make for some pretty dramatic entrances and drama.

The Church itself has everything I love about a church the gothic windows with both rectangular and circular glass, the bellow tower which is the focal point of the whole building. Even when you go to the back there is a spiral tower that is captivating giving it an old medieval feel.  What I love about this building is that is relatively true to its former life. Sure churches turned into condominiums maintain the outside well, but the insides even though they have church features lose something as they go through that transformation and it has to. That is why when a building like this that is able to somewhat preserve the inside while still experiencing a major transformation is so beautiful because when you walk in you still feel as though you are in a church.  Plus going to a theatre is like going to mass. Theatre goers have a theatre ritual and even though it is not every week at a certain time like those who go to mass, the church still maintains a part of its former life that way as well.

That Is Why I Love Toronto. 

Why I Love Toronto Reason #298

Knox College

Oh U of T campus, how I love thee. As I come into the final days of my blog Knox College is one of the 3 final U of T buildings that will be making an appearance. Knox is a beautiful college that has a chapel, library, a stunning quad/ courtyard and a beautiful outdoor seating area/ hall/ corridor that is enclosed with windowless arches.

The Ontario Government gave Knox College the ability to grant degrees in 1858 at which time it was located at 1 Spadina Crest (where it stayed until 1915). The current building which is what this post is dedicated to is located next to Convocation Hall and on the circumference of Kings College Circle. The gothic building which I meant to resemble schools in England is absolutely stunning. The building was awarded to The Presbyterian Church of Canada and continues to maintain that heritage today.

Here are my top reasons to love Knox College:

1 The main entrance light fixtures. I love the lanterns that are attached to exterior, I think more for the tint of orange it has in it. I don’t know why, but I am a big fan of light fixtures.

2 The Corridor. It has stunning arched ceilings, the hanging lanterns, basket plants whose vines droop down and finally these beautiful arched slits that sit open.

3. The Quad/ Courtyard. You can see so many layers of the building from the courtyard. The grass (which was probably maintained for Convocation) was the greenest grass your most likely to ever see. The little garden and fountain in the middle are a great centre piece as well as being surrounded by the many different shaped windows of the building and seeing the vines that cover the south-west exterior .

4. The Library has these exquisite wood beams on the ceiling, along with the windows and chandeliers. I like this library because I feel it is more of a study space than a library. Unlike Graham and Roberts in which you are surrounded by books I feel that this library is more of a place to study.  

5. The Church. I love churches you all know this. And this church is small and simple. My favorite part is the light and the colour of the pews because when the light shines in the sun compliments the pews perfectly. Also I love the cobblestone looking aisle.  

This is a stunning college and when I was there last at the beginning of June there were a number of grads taking pictures here as well as wedding parties taking their photos, but it is for sure a very romantic spot, like almost everything on the U of T campus.

That is Why I Love Toronto.